Jordan and Dominic Von Stanke again denied bail over street fight murder of Rex Court at Mt Gambier
TWO brothers who allegedly executed a “suplex” wrestling move on a man before stomping on him during a fatal fight in Mt Gambier have been denied bail for the second time.
TWO brothers who allegedly executed a “suplex” wrestling move on a man before stomping on him during a fatal fight in Mt Gambier have been denied bail for the second time.
On Tuesday, Jordan and Dominic Von Stanke — aged 24 and 20 respectively — appeared in the Supreme Court via videolink from prison and asked for their bail application to be reviewed.
They sought release on home detention bail after being charged over the murder of Rex Court during a fight in Mt Gambier in May.
But prosecutors opposed the application on three grounds — that the murder charge was too serious, the nominated address for home detention bail was unsuitable and the risk they would interfere with witnesses.
“This is a case where bail is not appropriate,” prosecutor Emma Wildman said.
But counsel for the men said the incident was less an alleged murder than it was a street fight, arguing their clients could well have been acting in self-defence.
The brothers, both of Carpenter Rocks, 35km outside Mt Gambier, are yet to plead to one count of murder each.
Together with a 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named, they are charged with having murdered Mr Court, 32, in a street brawl on May 13.
It is alleged the brawl followed a verbal altercation that Mr Court and his two friends had with a group of youths.
The incident left one of Mr Court’s friends with serious head injuries, and witnesses have described the alleged perpetrators as looking like they were trying to kick a long goal in football.
The teenager has already been released on home detention bail.
On Tuesday, Ms Wildman said the Von Stankes’ involvement in the incident had been captured by CCTV and on a mobile phone camera.
She said the brothers were not involved in the initial verbal altercation but arrived in a Ford Territory.
“It’s a very violent incident in a very short space of time,” she said.
She said the Von Stanke brothers alleged involvement lasted 39 seconds where Jordan is alleged to have used a “suplex” wrestling move where he picked him up and threw him into the pavement.
Dominic then kicked and stomped on Mr Court, she said.
Craig Caldicott, for Jordan Von Stanke, said police inquiries had been completed and there was no risk of interference with the investigation.
“This man may languish in jail for a considerable amount of time before these matters are heard,” he said.
He said his client was not a flight risk and would not interfere with witnesses if he was confined to his home in Carpenter Rocks.
Casey Isaacs, for Dominic Von Stanke, said his client was willing to provide guarantors and cash sureties to secure his release.
Justice Greg Parker refused the application — two weeks after it was first rejected by Magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard.
The brothers will reappear in court in September.